The political platform proposed by Campania's LGBTQIA+ associations ahead of the regional elections has received its first endorsements, but it also marks a break from the total unity of purpose seen in the 2015 and 2020 elections.
This year, Roberto Fico (Center-left) And Nicola Campanile (PER) they both signed the programmatic document. On the contrary, Giuliano Granato (Campania Popular) chose not to respond to the associations, effectively not joining the platform.
An interlocutory position instead comes from Edmondo Cirielli (Center-Right), who met with Antonello Sannino, a representative of the associations. Cirielli said he was ready to fight discrimination, but at this time, just days before the vote, he has not yet signed the platform.
Other candidates, such as Carlo Arnese (Forza del Popolo), had said they were ready to sign, but his withdrawal from the election due to internal disagreements within the party effectively rules him out. Finally, no sign has come from Stefano Bandecchi.
A change of pace compared to the past
The current situation contrasts sharply with 2015 and 2020, when the platform was signed by all presidential candidates, including the then center-right representative, Stefano Caldoro.
That unanimous commitment, the associations recall, led to significant legislative and social achievements for Campania:
- August 2020: Approval of the regional law against homolesbobitrasphobia, at a time when the Zan bill was heading towards failure at the national level.
- 2024: Constitution of the’LGBTQIA+ Observatory regional.
- 2025: Public tenders are being launched to fund anti-discrimination centers and rainbow shelters throughout the region, with the goal of having as many centers in Campania as Northern Italy by 2026.
The new demands of the associations
In the wake of these results, the associations call for a renewed commitment to consolidate acquired rights and make further progress. The new platform calls for:
- Maintain the key points of the 2020 regional law.
- Insert into the Statute of the Region combating all forms of discrimination, including those based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
- Establish a permanent table on gender medicine.
- Strengthen sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention and support for transgender people's self-determination.
- Promote interventions in schools and support parenting, including in homosexual contexts.
Political Analysis: Silences and Openings
The current political framework presents several significant features. On the one hand, the signature of Nicola Campanile, whose “PER” list has a strong Catholic vocation, and the “important” one of the centre-left candidate Roberto Fico.
On the other hand, it is surprising silence by Giuliano Granato and the left-wing forces that support it (from Potere al Popolo to the PCI and Rifondazione Comunista), whose political platforms, activists note, do not include issues related to civil rights.
Finally, Cirielli's position (Centre-Right) differs from both that of Granato (choosing dialogue) and that of his predecessor Caldoro (not signing, at least for now).
The platform is offered by:
- ANTINOO ARCIGAY NAPLES
- TRANS ASSOCIATION OF NAPLES
- ALFI LE MAREE NAPLES
- PRIDE VESUVIUS
- AGEDO NAPLES
- RAINBOW FAMILIES
- POCHOS NAPLES
- GIC FOUNDATION
- DISCOVERY QUEER
- FORTUNATO COOPERATIVE
- AMIGAY ONLUS
- CAMPANIA RAINBOW COORDINATION
